Slade – Take Me Bak ‘Ome

“Take Me Bak ‘Ome” – Single by Slade
Released 19 May 1972
Songwriters Noddy Holder, Jim Lea
Producers Chas Chandler
Charted No.97 in US; No.1 in UK; No.10 in West Germany; No.4 in Ireland; No.11 in Australia.

Slade’s Take Me Bak ‘Ome, released in 1972, captures the raw energy and unfiltered exuberance that made the band a cornerstone of the glam rock movement. Written by the charismatic duo of Noddy Holder and Jim Lea and produced by Chas Chandler, the song became the group’s second UK number-one hit, cementing their reputation for delivering irresistibly infectious rock anthems. Its chart-topping success marked yet another high point in a career defined by swagger, showmanship, and a remarkable ability to connect with audiences.

Shortly after the single’s release, Slade played at the Great Western Festival near Lincoln. Before their performance, the band had fears over whether or not they could win over the 50,000-strong crowd. Now deemed a ‘pop band’, the announcement of their imminent appearance on the stage was met with outbreaks of booing from the audience. However, the band triumphed at the festival, the music press praised the performance and “Take Me Bak ‘Ome” went on to reach No. 1 at the beginning of July. In a 1972 interview with Sounds, guitarist Dave Hill described the song as a “live, earth-dirt song”. He said: “I felt much more out of that than I did from all the rest, it projected more, and it wasn’t just a hit record. I didn’t know if that kind of song could make it, and it was great having a thick, dirty song up at number one.”